Indonesia (Hansard, 28 October 2002)

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Amos)
My Lords, the horrific attack in Bali on 12th October has focused the eyes of the world on Indonesia. I witnessed myself the appalling devastation. These events underline the urgency of our work to promote political and democratic reforms in Indonesia.
In addition to assisting the immediate police investigation into the bombing we are examining what further counter-terrorism assistance we can offer. We welcome the positive steps taken so far by the Indonesian Government in enacting anti-terrorist legislation.

§ Baroness Cox
My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for that sympathetic and encouraging reply. Is she aware that the inter-faith parliamentary delegation to Indonesia last July was very encouraged by the Indonesian Government's attempts to promote reconciliation in the Moluccas and in Sulawesi, areas which have been torn by communal conflict exacerbated by Islamist terrorists, with many hundreds killed and hundreds of thousands displaced?
Is the noble Baroness aware—there has been the horrific attack in Bali to which she has referred—that there have been further attacks in the Moluccas and Sulawesi? What measures are the Government taking to help Indonesia promote the reconciliation which is desperately wanted by local Muslim and Christian leaders, and in rooting out the reportedly thousands of 8 Islamist terrorists still in the Moluccas and in Sulawesi and operating training camps on the islands of Banda and Misool?

§ Baroness Amos
My Lords, I am aware of the visit of the inter-faith parliamentary delegation. In fact, I have seen a copy of the group's report.
The United Kingdom's assistance to Indonesia is some £4 million from the Department for International Development to help to establish a UNDP conflict prevention and recovery unit in Jakarta. The purpose of the unit is to built up capacity in conflict reduction and recovery in provinces which have been torn apart by conflict.
We also welcome the disbandment of Laskar Jihad and we hope that that will assist in the reconciliation process.

§ Lord Avebury
My Lords, is the Minister aware that the anti-terrorism measures which she welcomed, which have just been introduced by the Indonesian Government, have been widely opposed by some traditional parties? Does she think that it would be possible for us to go beyond simply sending police to assist with the investigation in Bali, to collaborate with the Indonesian authorities in reconciling the need for strict anti-terrorism measures with the preservation of human rights? Could we make available to the Government of Indonesia our experience in this matter?

§ Baroness Amos
My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Avebury, is quite right: there have been concerns expressed about those anti-terrorist measures. In fact I was asked about them myself. We have said that we are available to give assistance to the Indonesian authorities on this matter, should they so wish. I entirely agree with the noble Lord: it is possible to have strict and good anti-terrorism legislation while at the same time upholding international human rights standards.

§ Lord Clarke of Hampstead
My Lords, while one can show optimism about the Laskar Jihad and the recent statements of withdrawal, that will be believed by the people of Indonesia only when the attacks on minorities cease.
What representations have the Government made to the Indonesian Government about the detention of the Central Sulawesi Christian leader, Reverend Damanik, believed to be falsely accused of possessing illegal weapons?

§ Baroness Amos
My Lords, our embassy in Jakarta is following developments closely in that case. Although we cannot intervene on an individual case before the courts, we continue to stress to the Indonesian Government the importance of a fair and transparent judicial system.

§ Baroness Trumpington
My Lords, is the Minister aware that I recently met President Megawati? She was on her first official visit to Europe. I consider her to be 9 a very brave lady who needs all the help she can get, particularly in the face of what the past government of that country was made up of.

§ Baroness Amos
My Lords, I was not aware that the noble Baroness had met President Megawati. I met her when I was in Indonesia. I also met the vice-president and the Minister for Foreign Affairs. It was clear from my meetings with all three that there is a determination in Indonesia to tackle the issue of terrorism.

§ Lord Howell of Guildford
My Lords, following the question of the noble Lord, Lord Clarke of Hampstead, has the Laskar Jihad been disbanded? Have we any evidence or information on that? Is the noble Baroness aware that we are very grateful that Jemaah Islamiyah has now been proscribed here? Would it help the forces fighting against extremism in Indonesia if we also took a closer interest in, monitored and perhaps proscribed, the Laskar Jihad or what has replaced it?

§ Baroness Amos
My Lords, my understanding is that Laskar Jihad has been disbanded and the movements of members of Laskar Jihad have been tracked. With respect to JI, it was put on the UN banned list over the weekend. The Home Secretary has signalled his intention to put in place the relevant legislative mechanisms with respect to the United Kingdom on JI.